Related Links

“Wild Flowers of the Magaliesberg” by Kevin Gill and Andry Engelbrecht

“The Magaliesberg” by Vincent Carruthers

The books are available from the Buffelspoort Valley Tourism and Information Centre

Click on the image for more info

Welcome to Buffelspoort Valley

Our Buffelspoort Valley

Buffelspoort Valley is situated in the Magaliesberg, which is an area of scenic beauty, unique natural features, rich historical, archaeological and cultural value and abundant biodiversity. These features make Buffelspoort Valley particularly valuable for tourism and recreation as well as a focal point for nation-building – whether our ancestry is Tswana, Nguni, Boer or British, we will find roots here. However, these unique features also make it imperative that any development or use of the Magaliesberg & Buffelspoort Valley region must be circumscribed by sound, sustainable management principles and practices.

The Buffelspoort Valley region is close to the Pretoria-Johannesburg conurbation as well as the fast growing Rustenburg. Buffelspoort Valley, is central between attractions like Sun City & Harties and offers unique attractions including Canopy tours, hiking trails, restaurants and so much more.

Buffelspoort Valley offers a huge variety of to do's and to see's to any visitor. Buffelspoort Valley is an area which you have to see and experience first hand. The Buffelspoort Valley invites you to come and share in our splendour.

Browse our site to see where to Play in Buffelspoort, Stay in Buffelspoort, Taste in Buffelspoort and Shop in Buffelspoort!!!!

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The Magaliesberg Biosphere app has landed!

Now you can explore the Magaliesberg like never before – with an amazing, free new app that figures out where you are – and tells you stories about the places you’re driving through and past. Developed by authors Vincent Carruthers and Peter Delmar, the app uses your mobile device’s built-in GPS capability to tell incredible, true stories about this great part of the world. The stories are narrated by Vincent and celebrity voices Ashley Hayden and ProVerb. Fascinating stories, as well as the app’s map functionality , shows you where places of interest are as well as great places to stay, eat and have fun. There are app-only discounts and specials, plus links to various venues’ websites, facebook pages ,stories on the app include the Anglo-Boer War, the region’s remarkable geology, Sterkfontein and prehistoric sites.To get the app for either Apple or Android, go to www.highwayapps.com.

(There isn’t much on Buffelspoort at this stage but Peter promises that he will soon remedy this, adding that Buffelspoort is one of his very favourite parts of the Magaliesberg. The app will be dynamically updated , so that using it , you will always know what’s hot and happening in the area.)

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The Marico river is under threat !!!!

Dear friends of the Groot Marico,

The Groot Marico River and Catchment is again directly under threat by a number of prospecting and mining applications. Golder Associates on behalf of De Beers now made an application to prospect in Vergenoeg and other farm portions which form part of the heart of the strategically vital and sensitive Groot Marico River Catchment that provides water to many thousands of people, including towns, farms and traditional communities. No activity which has the potential to impact on this system, within a water scarce region, should be considered. Further, Vergenoeg and Wonderfontein are key eco-tourism areas within the Catchment and prospecting and mining activities would be in conflict with this.

We have made it very easy for you to now put forward your objection and to register as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP), simply follow the link below, fill in your details at the bottom and submit.

We want you to enjoy the natural and unspoilt nature and hospitality of the Marico.

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ATKV-Buffelspoort is the provincial winners in North West Province of the 2015 Lilizela Awards Ceremony which was held in Klerksdorp for the category: Caravan and Camping.

Self- catering holiday resort ATKV Buffelspoort were the recipients of two tourism awards during 2015 – The Beeld Jou keuse & The Lilizela provincial award for accommodation. Visit this amazing venue which has a variety of accommodation, restaurant, shop, recreational facilities and a 9 hole mashy golf course! For more info and bookings click on RESORTS under accommodation.

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Magaliesberg proclaimed a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco

9 June 2015

After nearly a decade of lobbying and sustained efforts by a small committee of dedicated environmentalists, the Magaliesberg has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

The announcement was made on 9 June in Paris by the International Coordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). This is a Unesco programme that aims to build a supportive and sustainable relationship between people and their environments. In effect, this means a specific focus on safeguarding natural ecosystems through innovative approaches to economic development.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which Magaliesberg now joins, counts 631 biosphere reserves in 119 countries.

“We are delighted with this final acknowledgement of the unique nature of the Magaliesberg and the powerful contribution it is making to our country, to the ecosystem services in Gauteng and the North West and the communities it nurtures over an extensive area,” said Paul Fatti, chair of the Magaliesberg Biosphere Initiative Group (MBIG) that has been lobbying authorities since 2007 to support the establishment of the Biosphere.

Vincent Carruthers, past chair of MBIG and renowned author of “The Magaliesberg”, the most authoritative study of the mountain range, said that this announcement was the culmination of a campaign that began in 2006.

“I’m most grateful there is now international recognition of this great mountain range that has witnessed the whole span of life, from its very origins,” he said. “The Magaliesberg is almost 100 times older than Mount Everest and half the age of the earth, a unique treasure for us in this part of Africa.”

Officials from South African environmental authorities were also at the MAB meeting in Paris when the announcement was made.

Management of the Biosphere Reserve

The Designated Management Agency comprises a Management Board, which is the management authority responsible for governing the Magaliesberg Biosphere. In line with best practice, a non-profit company (NPC), named the “Magaliesberg Biosphere” (Association incorporated under Section 21), has been registered in terms of the companies Act. The company’s board has the responsibility to fulfil the designated functions of a Biosphere reserve -

· contribute to the conservation of the landscape, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

· foster development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;